Science in a Gendered World

We depend on science to produce objective knowledge about ourselves and our world. But what factors shape science itself? In this seminar we will investigate how issues of gender have influenced the institutions, practices, content, method and applications of science. We will examine patterns of women’s under-representation in the sciences, and consider the role of gendered assumptions in the production of knowledge about the sexes. We will also investigate philosophical questions of how science ought to be practiced, and whether or how gender needs to be taken into consideration. For example, how can we ensure that scientific results are not gender-biased, and how can we ensure the direction of research serves the interests of all? 3 hrs. sem.